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Former Miami-Dade PTA Leader Killed In Double Murder

A former teacher and president of the Miami-Dade PTA and her fiancé were killed just days before their wedding on a boat docked in Ft. Myers Beach. (Source: CBS4)

MIAMI (CBSMiami) – A former teacher and president of the Miami-Dade PTA and her fiancé were killed just days before their wedding on a boat docked in Ft. Myers Beach.

Marilyn Spiegel, 69, and Harry Carlip, 70, were gunned down last week by Spiegel’s ex-husband Michael, according to police who said he set a small fire on the boat to cover up possible evidence.

Spiegel, who became the leader of the Miami-Dade’s PTA/PTSA in 1998, pressed lawmakers to pass the Jeffrey Johnston Stand Up For All Students Act, which led to tougher anti-bullying policies for public K-12 schools, according to CBS4 news partner The Miami Herald.

During her three years as PTA/PTSA president of the Miami-Dade County Council, Spiegel also voiced her concerns for private school vouchers.

Spiegel herself has lived through the Florida education system, according to the Miami Herald. Before graduating in three years from the University of Florida with honors, she attended South Broward High School in Hollywood.

When Speigel was not working for children, she could be found on her boat. She home-schooled her children aboard the family boat in 1980 for a year.

The Miami-Dade County Council of PTAs/PTSAs plans to establish an annual award in her name to honor her memory.